Cambridge drug bust

Location

CAMBRIDGE - Eight people were arrested on drug charges after a search and seizure warrant was executed Friday, June 7, by members of the Dorchester County Narcotics Task Force at Apartment C, 400 Cemetery Ave. in Cambridge, the home of Orville Sylvester Nichols, according to Dorchester Sheriff James Phillips Jr.

During the June 7 raid, Phillips said a .22-caliber handgun was seized along with 17.4 grams of powdered cocaine, 10.4 grams of crack cocaine, 18.4 grams of marijuana and assorted illegal drug paraphernalia.

Nichols, 43, allegedly attempted to escape during the raid, the sheriff said, by climbing out a window to a third-story roof, from which he fell after losing his footing. Phillips said Nichols was treated for injuries from the fall at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury and arrested Wednesday, June 12, following his release from the hospital.

Nichols is facing multiple charges including possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, wearing and carrying a loaded handgun, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a regulated firearm after a felony conviction, distribution of controlled dangerous substance with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Nichols is being held on $200,000 bond, with a preliminary hearing set July 10 in Dorchester County District Court, according to online court records, which show the same preliminary hearing date for the other seven people arrested, who were all released on $25,000 bond.

They are each facing charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia.

The others arrested are:

Donyei Lamont Batson, 20, of 4820 Skinners Run Road, Hurlock;

Terrance A. Conway, 20, of 519 Pine St., Cambridge;

Tyvonte L. Watson, 20, of 606 Bayly Road, Cambridge;

Thomas B. Burton, 21, of 606 Sherwood Circle, Salisbury;

Devin L. Kemp, 21, of 31895 Old Ocean City Road, Salisbury;

Orville T. Nichols, 20, of 2001 Huntsman Drive, Salisbury;

James H. Collins V, 19, of 8390 Pittsville Road, Parsonsburg.

The sheriff said the Dorchester County Narcotics Task Force was assisted by the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, the Dorchester County State's Attorney's Office, the Caroline County Narcotics Task Force and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force.